Granger prepares to bring its newest dinosaur to life during Dino-in-a-Day

GRANGER - A corythosaurs is a four-ton dinosaur that roamed the earth 72 to 75 million years ago. Next weekend, it is being brought back to life, as the community of Granger prepares for its annual Dino-in-a-Day event.

Saturday, June 4, the community will come together to breath life into Granger's 23rd dinosaur. There are currently 22 different dinosaurs that dot the Granger landscape.

Nancy Mortensen, who is helping organize this year's event, said the new dinosaur will be close to life-size, like all of the dinosaurs in the community. She noted that the corythosaurs is a dinosaur that was typically 10 feet tall and 24 feet long.

As of today (Friday), the Granger Public Works crew has been hard at work putting the skeleton of the corythosaurs together. They have not only taken the time to create the metal shape of the dinosaur, they have also wrapped the skeleton in chicken wire, giving it a more life-like shape.

"After the chicken wire you're able to visual the shape even more," Mortensen said.

Although the dinosaur is already staring to come to life, it's the community members who will actually make the dinosaur a reality.

Mortensen said during the Dino-in-a-Day event there will be rubber gloves available for anyone who wants to help apply the cement skin to the dinosaur.

The Dino-in-a-Day event begins at 9 a.m. on June 4, with breakfast being served at the Dinostore beginning at 7 a.m. By the time the day is over, the application of the corythosaurs' outer "skin" layer should be completed.

Mortensen explained that after the cement dries the dinosaur will be painted and then moved to its permanent location. She added that the new dinosaur's permanent location has yet to be determined.

In addition to helping create Granger's newest dinosaur, there will be other activities available at Hisey Park on June 4. There will be arts and crafts vendors displaying their wares, the Dinostore will be open, and people will be allowed to fish in the pond that borders the park. Paddle boats, surreys and dino-bikes will also be available for rent.